Nico Hulkenberg’s 2025 Italian Grand Prix ended abruptly before the race even began as the German driver was forced to withdraw his Sauber due to a hydraulic failure in his Ferrari power unit. This unexpected problem occurred during the formation lap at Monza, preventing Hulkenberg from starting despite qualifying 12th for the event.
Unexpected Hydraulic Failure Halts Hulkenberg’s Race at Monza
At 38 years old, Hulkenberg faced a major setback after showing promise in qualifying, but a critical technical fault emerged just before the race start. Sauber’s management was unable to fix the issue, forcing the team to retire the car early. The hydraulic problem was tied to the new power unit supplied by Ferrari, which complicated the repair efforts on the grid.
Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber’s team principal, explained the situation during the Sky Sports F1 broadcast. He described the disappointment of retiring so early, emphasizing the complexity of modern F1 cars and the difficulty in identifying the precise cause of the failure. Wheatley noted that the problem became apparent during the final fire-up on the starting grid and was difficult to address due to the component’s deep integration into the car’s systems.
“It’s always sad to have to retire a car at any point in the race,”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
“[It started during] the final fire-up on the grid, Martin,”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
“We did what we could on the grid, but these cars are incredibly complicated. Most of these systems are buried deep inside them, so unfortunately Nico’s race had to be ended.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
Hulkenberg Reflects on Qualifying and Disappointment at Italian GP
Hulkenberg’s season has been marked by highs and lows, including his first podium finish at the British Grand Prix. However, consistent performance has eluded him. Heading into Monza, also known as the Temple of Speed, he had hoped to build momentum but faltered during qualifying, which left him vulnerable within the midfield pack.
Following Saturday’s qualification, Hulkenberg spoke candidly about his mistakes and the fine margins that affect race placement. He admitted a misstep during his first Q2 attempt that compromised his chances, forcing him to take risks on his final lap that ultimately undermined his position.
“You know, to be there where the other car, the sister car is still in…”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Driver
“First run in Q2 I messed up that lap and, you know, basically didn’t have anything on the board so that obviously leaves you a little bit vulnerable going into the final lap and didn’t want to end up in 15th.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Driver
“So I had to take margins here and there which… those hundreds at the end are costly and they make a difference.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Driver
The Broader Impact of Sauber’s Technical Setback at Monza
Hulkenberg’s non-start adds pressure on Sauber to address reliability issues with their Ferrari power units as the season progresses. This sudden failure at a crucial stage underscores the delicate balance between performance and mechanical dependability within Formula 1. For a driver aiming to regain consistency, missing out on potential points at the iconic high-speed Monza circuit is a significant blow.
Looking ahead, Sauber and Ferrari will need to analyze the root cause of the hydraulic fault carefully to avoid further disruptions. Meanwhile, Hulkenberg’s focus will likely be on regrouping quickly to maximize results in upcoming grands prix, hoping to capitalize on opportunities as the season unfolds.
